Counselling Arabia opens at ADWC

Under the theme 'Transitions: Evolutions of Client and Practitioner,' the conference will provide three days of stimulating workshops and presentations from both a local and global context. Some presenters will address listeners in English, while others will use Arabic.

The event will take place from 7-9 April at Abu Dhabi Women's College, the first time it has been held in the UAE's capital.

The conference has been organized to serve people working within the wider counselling arena, including educational institutions as well as public and private counselling or wellness organisations across the UAE.

Attendees, of whom 190 have already pre-registered, will have the chance to examine and debate best practices and innovations in the fields of counselling and human development. On-site registration will also take place during the three days of the conference.

Special guests at this year's conference are the two keynote speakers. The English-language keynote, Carol Ann Fried, from Vancouver, Canada, will discuss the issue of negotiating transitions successfully. Dr. Nora Alarifi Pharaon, from New Jersey, USA, will address the conference as the Arabic keynote speaker, and she'll describe cultural competency in mental health care. Both visitors will also offer training sessions on the conference's third day.

At the end of the Tueday's meetings, an informal networking event will take place featuring special guests Dubai Drums. This occasion is designed to allow conference participants to get acquainted with one another, while Dubai Drums will share strategies on teambuilding and bringing people together with a drumming session.

Abu Dhabi Women's College Director Dr. Bradley Cook stated, "Hosting Counselling Arabia is something we've been looking forward to for a long time. I'm sure Abu Dhabi and the rest of the Emirates will benefit from the lessons learned at this conference."